Jug

Maker William A. Lowe

Maker Van Schoick & Dunn

PeriodCirca 1890

Place MadeMatawan, New Jersey, U.S.A.

MediumSalt glazed stoneware

Dimensions9.25 × 8.63 in. (23.5 × 21.9 cm)

ClassificationsStoneware

Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1934

Object number534

DescriptionA storage jug with a bulbous body tapering to a narrow neck and a thick rounded lip. A ring handle attaches to the jug at the neck. The jug features a male figure with a goatee beard, dressed in a suit and top hat with a feather, holding a trumpet to his lips. To the left of the figure is the inscription "Safe in the ars of James."
Curatorial RemarksThe stoneware jug made by William A. Lowe in around 1890 for his son-in-law shows a crude caricature figure of a man sporting a goatee and mustache, holding a cornet and wearing a top hat with a feather plume. This appears to be the uniform of the Matawan Cornet Band, one of the very first musical groups organized in the community. As early as 1885, a news note about the opening of a skating rink in Matawan commented that "the Matawan cornet band played better than ever before." By the early 1890s, the band began receiving invitations to appear in parades throughout Central New Jersey. The inscription on the jug was for many years interpreted to read "Safe in the Arms of James." Close inspection of the writing seem to indicate the inscription is actually "Safe in the Ars of James." The inscription appears to have been a joke between the potter and his son-in-law, the significance of which has now been lost. The figure itself might be Lowe's depiction of son-in-law James Van Schoick, who apparently was a member of the Matawan Cornet Band. The Band's uniforms were quite eyecatching, one newspaper article describing them as including "lots of gold lace and letters in gold to ornament them."NotesOriginal accession information about this jug noted that "this jug was made in the pottery at Matawan, N.J., by Wm. A. Lowe at the Pottery of Van Schoick & Dunn. The words are "Safe in the Arms of James" who is still alive at the age of 76, his name is James Van Schoick. This was done when he was a young man when the band of Matawan first organized." Van Schoick pottery founder Josiah Van Schoick began life as a blacksmith but in about 1850 began operating a pottery with Abial Price in Matawan. After Price's death in 1852, Van Schoick continued the business in partnership with Ezra Dunn as Van Schoick and Dunn. In 1868 the firm changed its name to Dunn, Dunlop & Co. when William A. Dunlop purchased a third interest in the company. Josiah Van Schoick retained a one-third interest in the pottery until his death in 1898. The pottery was originally located on Main Street in the Matawan business district. In 1862, the partners moved their entire operations to land on Washington Street. William A. Lowe (1836 - 1906), maker of this amusing jug, joined Dunn, Dunlop & Company at Matawan as a journeyman potter in 1873. He remained at the firm for more than 30 years and was apparently a key employee for Dunn and Dunlop. In or around 1890, William Lowe made and decorated this jug for his son-in-law and fellow employee James B. Van Schoick. James B. Van Schoick joined Dunn, Dunlop & Co. in October of 1877 at the age of eighteen, following in his father Josiah's footsteps as a potter. Initially paid 75 cents per day, he served as general laborer employed for day and night shifts, often tending the kiln when in use. In 1886, Van Schoick married Lillie B. Lowe, daughter of his fellow pottery worker William A. Lowe and his wife Deborah Matthews. Van Schoick died in 1935 in Matawan.

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